RVSL Rules

Ice Hockey

Cross-ice and small-area at the youngest ages so every skater touches the puck and keeps moving.

Team size & setup

Game format

Item	12 & Under	13 & Up
Game length	Three periods, running clock	Three 15-minute periods
Checking	No body checking	By league / division only
Shifts	Short buzzer shifts so everyone rotates	Standard line changes
Playing time	At least 50% of shifts	At least 20% of shifts

How the game starts

Play begins with a face-off at center ice; after every stoppage play restarts with a face-off at the nearest dot.
A goal is scored when the entire puck crosses the goal line inside the net.
Cross-ice and half-ice formats at the youngest ages create more puck touches and shots per player.

Flow of play

Skaters move the puck with the stick, passing and carrying it toward the opponent's net.
Icing and offside are introduced only at full-ice divisions so young skaters can focus on skills.
Short, timed shifts keep every skater in the rotation and keep legs fresh.

Fouls & safety

No body checking in 12 & under, angling and stick position, not contact, are how you defend.
No slashing, tripping, hooking, high-sticking, or cross-checking; these are minor penalties (time in the box).
No checking from behind at any age, it is an automatic major.
A second unsportsmanlike or dangerous act by the same player results in removal from the game.

Equipment

Full gear required: helmet with full cage/shield, mouthguard, neck guard, shoulder and elbow pads, gloves, shin guards, and protective pants.
Goalies wear approved goalie-specific protective equipment.
Sticks sized to the player; skates sharpened and fitted.

What technique looks like

Edge work and balance on skates, stickhandling with the head up, crisp passing, and safe, controlled defensive positioning.

Scored the RVSL way

Referees rate both teams on the five criteria: effort, technique, teamwork, fun, and sportsmanship.

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